March 4, 2013 (TSR) – Philippines President Benigno Aquino III Monday said cases are being readied against those behind the standoff in Sabah even as he warned them that they will not succeed.
“We are aware that there are those who conspired to bring us to this situation. Some of their identities are clear to us, while others continue to sulk in the shadows,” the President said in a statement aired over People’s Television 4 and government radio station Radyo ng Bayan.
The President said that cases are being built up against these conspirators.
“I am told that renting a sufficiently large boat, to go to Sabah costs about P100,000. And there were two boats, at least, and one speedboat that was used by these group. So funds and then the food — money siguro that were left behind. ‘… seemingly concerted criticisms all point to a conspiracy,” he said.
“To the people who are behind this, even now, I tell you: you will not succeed. All those who have wronged our country will be held accountable,” he stressed.
President Aquino stressed that there is a provision in the Constitution that prohibits the formation of private armed groups.
“They (armed followers of Sulu Sultan Kiram) are, obviously, by any definition are armed group. They call themselves a particular claim. And allegedly certain members of the past administration (are involved) in the formation on this, which is a violation of the Constitution and various other laws of the land,” he said.
The President said there is also a provision in the Revised Penal Code that cites inciting to war.
“When you have an armed group that goes into an area administered by a different nation, can that not be considered an act of war by some of our citizens? And the Revised Penal Code has specific law that penalizes people who incite others to war,” he noted.
President Aquino said he already tasked the Dept. of Justice to investigate the matter.
“My call to the family of Sultan Jamalul Kiram has not changed: it is not reasonable to ask for understanding, if your weapons are pointed at the faces of those you are speaking with. We will be able to put an end to this trouble, if the people involved in it become reasonable, especially those who see themselves as true leaders,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the governors of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) appealed Monday to the Sultan of Sulu and the Malaysian government to resolve the Sabah crisis in a more peaceful and honorable manner.
”We are appealing to our Sultan, Sultan Jamalul (Kiram) and (the) government of Malaysia if they could resolve this crisis into a more peaceful and honorable manner,” Sulu Gov. Hadji Abdusakur Tan told a press conference at the Gateway in Cubao, Quezon City.
Tan admitted the ARMM governors received text messages from Malacanang, asking them to assist in resolving the Sabah situation which worsened last Friday when a firefight between Kiram’s supporters and the Malaysian army broke out.
”They (are) asking for our help because the President (Aquino) knows that we know the culture of our countrymen in Sabah,” Tan said.
The Sulu governor expressed concern that if the Filipinos living in Sabah will return in Sulu and other part of ARMM would bring problem.
”If our countrymen will return, it would create big problem. That’s why we are appealing to our Sultan to consider the problem the crisis would bring in Mindanao. We have no food and shelter to provide for them if they will return,” Tan said.
Tan said he was able to talk with Kiram’s brother Sultan Esmael but refused to reveal the full details of their conversation.
Tawi-Tawi Gov. Hadji Saadikul Sahali said the tension in Sabah has resulted in the increase of the prices of commodities in the ARMM.
”There is already increase in the value of food stock. Commodities becoming very high unlike before the standoff,” Sahali said.
Sahali said he has already alerted the Tawi-tawi municipal mayors for the return of the Filipinos from Sabah.
Maguindanao Gov. Hadji Esmael Mangundadatu believed the Philippine government will be able to resolve the Sabah crisis in a peaceful manner.
Lanao del Sur Hadji Mamintal Adiong Jr. and Basilan Gov. Hadji Jum Ajbar also joined the press conference.
Source: PNA
